Traffic Incident Managementat the Big Dig

Presenter:Kevin A Duffy-CA/T Manager of Emergency Planning & ResponseKaduffy@bigdig.com

DifficultyKeeping the Roadways Traversing Boston Open and

Flowing at Pre Construction Levels

Daily Use of Project Footprint Areas: 339,000(minimum)

Traffic Incident Managementat the Big Dig

Solution:Disseminate information quickly; simplify response, and execute with perfection

Critical Elements of Success

Strategic

1.Great emphasis on traffic planning and congestion prevention

All lane alterations are scripted, using a three phase sign off, involving Construction, Traffic Engineering, and state/local authorities

Every effort in planning yielded one less incident

Strategic (continued)

•Established Traffic Disruptions as part of Project- wide Emergency Response System

Guarantees that a quick, efficient method is continually in place to mitigate traffic difficulties

As part of the ERS, multiple resources are dedicated to a traffic disruption, minimizing the time and scope of a traffic disruption. These include a field engineer, and a traffic engineer, along with emergency services.

Including Traffic in the ERS Provided a Structure of Communication and Incident Management Control Among Non- Traffic Personnel.

Field Staff Receive Instruction on Clearing Self- Created Disruptions.

All Staff must Submit to Annual Refresher Training

Strategic (continued)

Strategic (continued)

Non project related disruptions were handled through the same assessment criteria and communications links to external agencies as would be used for injuries, utility disruptions etc.

Critical links were found by analyzing these non related events

Continually Functional Operations Center

The CA/T Ops Center Operates 24/7 Due to Construction Demands. A Less Ambitious Construction Project Would Only Require a Center Operating Around That Specific Construction Schedule

TacticalApplication of measures to minimize disruption

Tactical

Video Monitoring• A picture is worth a thousand words• Sharing images with decision makers via

intranet link

Rapid identification and classification of a traffic disruption• Occurring when a disruption is noticed by a

construction engineer, operations monitor, or external notification

• Classification to ensure standard response•

Tactical

Primary notification is delivered to a single point of contact in the field, who will coordinate the response

•One point of coordination is a traffic engineer

Immediate independent notification of a Traffic Engineer when a disruption is reported or identified

•Notification is made by the operations center, ensuring the passage of information

Tactical

Exercise program with training and drills• All personnel will be ready for the real disruption